Truck crash near Athenree

A man has been seriously injured after being thrown from his logging truck in a crash in the Athenree Gorge.

Fire service northern communications manager Steve Smith said police, fire and St John were at the scene of the crash near the Athenree Pancake House on State Highway 2.

A logging truck had crashed and the cab had overturned throwing the driver clear of the vehicle.

The driver was thought to be in a serious condition.

Motorists could expect delays as the road was down to one lane.

According to the New Zealand Transport Agency both lanes were being closed as of 3pm. In a traffic advisory, it stated there would be a full road closure until about 6pm.

Motorists are advised to take detours which are available via Waihi Beach Rd, Wilson Rd, Seaforth Rd, Emerton Rd and Athenree Road back to SH2 For Southbound Direct, With The Reverse For North Bound Traffic.

Earlier this year, the section of SH2 north of Athenree Rd was set down for realignment in an effort to make the road safer.

Described as the Arden Cottage Curves, the area comprises a series of tight bends.

New Zealand Transport Agency's Bay of Plenty state highways manager Brett Gliddon said the layout of the road and the speed which vehicles drive along state highways (predominately between 80-100km/h) means drivers are at risk of losing control and crashing.

The plan is to realign the road, removing a series of tight bends to minimise the risk of drivers losing control and potentially crashing.

The project started in March and was expected to be finished by May 2014.